Business Administration, D.B.A. < West Virginia University

Degree Offered

Doctor of Business Administration

Nature of the Program

The Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) program at WVU offers experienced business professionals a pathway to explore academia, consulting, and advanced professional positions. With a focus on research, in-depth exposure to business literature, and a supportive environment through faculty guidance and mentorship, a comprehensive learning experience is provided to our students. The online delivery of the program allows students to seamlessly maintain momentum in their career while pursuing their doctoral degree. Additionally, optional on-campus residences are available to further enrich your educational journey.

The DBA program is built on three foundational areas:

1. Core and Research Methodology

Students will receive intensive instruction in research methods and statistics, laying the groundwork for conducting empirical research of the highest caliber.

2. Areas of Emphasis

The DBA program offers four Areas of Emphasis: Accounting, Economics, Management, and Marketing. These areas provide students with in-depth knowledge and expertise in crucial aspects of business. Program AoEs tailor the degree to suit students' interests and set them up with a diverse skill set, empowering them to excel in a wide range of professional settings and contribute significantly to the business world.

3. Research and Dissertation

Under the guidance of the student's faculty mentor, students will have the opportunity to put their research skills into practice. This stage of the program will allow students to engage in meaningful and impactful research aimed at solving real-world problems within the industry.

Program Overview

The DBA program has been meticulously designed to provide you with a strong foundation in research, an in-depth exposure to business literature, and a supportive environment to foster impactful research through faculty guidance and mentorship. With a completion timeline of three years, our program offers efficiency without compromising quality. The program consists of 54 credit hours, divided into 18 credit hours in research methods, 18 credit hours in content seminars, and 18 credit hours in research and dissertation. Due to the cohort nature of the program and the need for students to stay on track with coursework, earning a D or F in a course will result in dismissal from the program.

Year 1:

Convert at least one research idea into a research proposal.
Research Proposal should include an introduction, review of prior literature, proposed theoretical foundation, development of hypotheses, and description of research methods.
Failure to complete a research proposal with a likelihood of publication at an academic conference or journal outlet by the end of the second summer session will result in a probationary period of one semester. If at the end of the probationary period the research proposal has not been submitted and deemed acceptable by the DBA program coordinator, the result will be dismissal from the program.

Year 2:

Convert the research proposal from year 1 into a quality research manuscript which will serve as the qualifying paper.
Manuscript should be of the quality that it could be submitted to an academic research meeting or a reputable academic journal.
Failure to complete this qualifying paper by the end of the fall semester will result in a probationary period of one semester. If at the end of the probationary period the qualifying paper has not been submitted and accepted, the result will be dismissal from the program.
Failure to form a dissertation committee by the end of the spring semester will result in a probationary period of one semester. If at the end of the probationary period the dissertation committee has not been formed, the result will be dismissal from the program.

Year 3:

Maintain regular meetings with your dissertation chair and committee.
Propose dissertation by the end of the fall semester. Failure to meet this deadline will result in a probationary period of one semester. If at the end of the probationary period the dissertation has not been proposed, the result will be dismissal from the program.
Execute and defend your approved dissertation proposal by the end of the spring semester. Failure to meet this timeline will result in a probationary period of one semester. If at the end of the probationary period the dissertation defense has not been held, the result will be dismissal from the program.

Any exceptions to the above standards must be approved in writing by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Research and the Program Coordinator.

Admissions for 2027-2028

Admission to the DBA is highly competitive; meeting the minimum standards for admission does not guarantee admission. A holistic admissions process considers minimum requirements as well as professional accomplishments and certifications. The program is delivered in a cohort-based online asynchronous format and begins in the summer. Success in the program requires significant commitment and time. The cohort design does not permit students to take courses outside of the prescribed sequence. Consideration for admission is only given to those applicants who have a completed application packet. Not all Areas of Emphasis will admit each year.

To be eligible for admission, you must:

Have a minimum of 5 years of work experience.
Have a Master’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university. For students who do not possess a Master’s degree, an accelerated Master's to DBA program is available.

Once qualified to proceed with the application to the DBA, applicants will be required to submit additional documents, including:

1) a completed application - https://graduateadmissions.wvu.edu/how-to-apply/first-time-graduate-applicant

2) application fee

3) up-to-date academic transcripts from all prior undergraduate and graduate institutions

4) an up-to-date resume or CV

5) 2 Letters of Recommendation from individuals who are not family members or friends and can provide information about academic promise, ability to work with others, professionalism, and potential to succeed in this program

6) a Statement of Purpose regarding the DBA program describing why the applicant is pursuing a doctorate and the applicant's career aspirations upon completion of the degree

International Applicants are required to submit a TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score. Visit English Language Proficiency Requirements | Graduate Admissions | West Virginia University for specific information.

The integrity of the admissions process is of paramount importance. All grade and/or score reports received are subject to verification.

For full consideration applicants should have all materials submitted by December 1st, after this date applications will be reviewed as space is available.

WVU cannot accept scans, uploads, faxes, or unverified photocopies of transcripts as official.

Graduate degree-seeking applicants must send their official transcripts from the undergraduate institution that granted the bachelor’s degree and the institution that granted the master's degree. It is preferred that official transcripts be sent via an online, secure service such as National Student Clearinghouse, or Parchment to graduateadmissions@mail.wvu.edu. Alternatively, sealed, untampered, physical official transcripts can be sent to:

WVU Graduate Admissions
1 Waterfront Place
P.O. Box 6009
Morgantown, WV 26506

International applicants and applicants using express mail, use the address below:

WVU International Admissions
1 Waterfront Place
P.O. Box 6009
Morgantown, WV 26506

Major Code: 2146

Degree Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
A program GPA of 3.0 is required by the Chambers College.
BADM 700	Statistics Bootcamp	3
BADM 701	Research Methods 1 - Introduction to Regression	3
BADM 702	Research Methods 2 - Cross Section Data Analysis	3
BADM 703	Research Methods 3 - Experimental Methods	3
BADM 704	Research Methods 4 - Causal Inference	3
BADM 705	Research Methods 5 - Non Cross Section Data Analysis	3
BADM 707	Business Pedagogy	3
Research and Dissertation		21
BADM 797	Research
Area of Emphasis		12
Accounting
Economics
Management
Marketing
Elective (optional, selected from different AoE)
Total Hours		54

Additional Requirements

Beyond timely completion of courses listed in the plan of study, maintaining course grades, and overall GPA requirements, admitted students are expected to demonstrate progress towards the completion of high-quality research likely publishable in a high-quality academic outlets. The expectations are as follows:

Year 1 – Research Proposal (Qualifying Paper)

Admitted students are expected to complete a research proposal by the end of the first summer in the program (the completion of the first year). The proposal typically includes an abstract, research question, introduction, literature review/theory development, hypotheses, and a proposed research methods section. Admitted students should work with their faculty mentor and draw on material from their first-year courses. The student’s faculty mentor must approve the research topic. For year 1, successful completion will be judged by the student’s faculty mentor based on an assessment of (a) the quality of the written proposal and (b) the perceived probability that the proposal can be successfully converted into completed research with eventual publication in a high-quality academic outlet.

Year 2 – Research Manuscript (Qualifying Paper and Dissertation)

By the end of the FALL SEMESTER in the second year of the program, admitted students are expected to have converted the research proposal developed in year 1 (or an alternative research proposal approved, in advance, by the admitted student’s faculty mentor) into a high-quality research manuscript (a completed research project). The research manuscript should be of such quality that it can be submitted and accepted for presentation at an academic research meeting.

Year 3 – Dissertation

The research requirement in the DBA program consists of two completed research manuscripts: the research manuscript (Qualifying Paper) completed in Years 1 and 2 of the program (discussed above) and a second solo-authored research manuscript (Dissertation). The qualifying paper and the dissertation aim to engage the student in research that contributes to the academic literature, leveraging the student’s expertise. Undertaking the dissertation is a serious commitment of both time and mental energy. The student conducts their dissertation under the tutelage of the student’s faculty mentor and their dissertation committee. In addition to the research manuscript, by the end of the FALL SEMESTER of the third year in the program, the dissertation will include an oral proposal defense (including any necessary revisions), and by the end of the spring semester, an oral final defense (including any necessary revisions).

Suggested Plan of Study

First Semester
				Summer	Hours
				BADM 700	3
	3
Second Semester
Fall	Hours
BADM 701	3
AOE Course	3
BADM 797	3
	9
Third Semester
		Spring	Hours
		BADM 702	3
		AOE Course	3
		BADM 797	3
	9
Fourth Semester
Fall	Hours
BADM 703	3
AOE Course	3
BADM 797	3
	9
Fifth Semester
		Spring	Hours
		BADM 704	3
		AOE Course	3
		BADM 797	3
	9
Sixth Semester
Fall	Hours
BADM 705	3
BADM 797	6
	9
Seventh Semester
		Spring	Hours
		BADM 707	3
		BADM 797	3
		Elective (optional)
	6
Total credit hours: 54

Accounting Area of Emphasis

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA.
BADM 710	Introduction to Accounting Research	3
BADM 711	Behavioral Accounting Research	3
Select one of the following tracks:		6
Applied Professional Research Track
BADM 713	Introduction to Applied Professional Accounting Research
BADM 714	Advanced Professional Accounting Research
Academic Research Intensive Track
BADM 715	Accounting Academic Research Intensive
BADM 716	Advanced Academic Accounting Research
Total Hours		12

Economics Area of Emphasis

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA.
BADM 721	Public Finance	3
BADM 722	Labor Economics	3
BADM 723	Public Choice	3
BADM 724	Regional Economics	3
Total Hours		12

Management Area of Emphasis

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA.
BADM 730	Foundations of Organizational Behavior	3
BADM 731	Foundations of Strategy and International Business	3
BADM 732	Management of Groups and Teams	3
BADM 733	Advanced Topics in Strategy and Entrepreneurship	3
Total Hours		12

Marketing Area of Emphasis

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.
BADM 741	Interfirm Relationships	3
BADM 742	Marketing Management	3
BADM 743	Consumer Behavior	3
BADM 744	Marketing Strategy	3
Total Hours		12

Degree Progress

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Program requires the following milestones for all students. According to the graduate catalog, students will receive a yearly evaluation. Students who are either not making adequate degree progress or who are failing to uphold professional standards may receive notice of probation, suspension or dismissal. Students may be notified of academic consequences outside of routine evaluation processes if an issue must be addressed immediately.

Each year, no later than the first day of classes of the Fall semester, the department will distribute an updated version of the graduate handbook (link to handbook or describe how to access).

Benchmarks

Year One: Research Proposal (by end of Summer)
Year Two: Qualifying Paper (by end of Fall semester)
Year Three: Dissertation Proposal (by end of Fall semester), Dissertation Defense (by end of Spring semester)

Satisfactory Progress

Successfully completing coursework with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA
Completing each of the benchmarks above in the stated time frame

Major Learning Outcomes